Efficiency of the Technology-Based “HomeCARE-Family EmPow” for Children with Cancer and Their Parents: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

ObjectivesHome-based pediatric cancer care requires addressing both physical and psychosocial care needs for children and their parents Currently, there is a notable gap in intervention programs that evaluate technology-based psychosocial empowerment for children and parents in home-based pediatric cancer care. The study protocol was to assess the efficiency of a technology-based psychosocial empowerment intervention for home-based care for children with cancer and their parents. MethodsThis study was planned as a single-blinded parallel-group randomized controlled experimental design. The study was intended to include sixty-four children and parents in the research sample. The HomeCare-Family EmPow is a technology-based intervention based on the Psychological Empowerment Theory. This 4-week program, delivered via the website, consists of four modules for parents and two for children. The descriptive form, Self-Efficacy Scale- for children and adolescents with cancer, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Pediatric Cancer Coping Scale will be used in the data collection for children. The descriptive form, Self-Efficacy Scale, Problem-Solving Inventory, and Psychological Resilience Scale will be used for parents. Repeated measures analysis of variance and linear mixed-effects models will be applied for intra-group and inter-group comparisons. Outcome measures will be assessed before randomization, one week after the intervention, and one month after. ResultsThe possible differences between the intervention and control groups will be evaluated after the implementation of the intervention. Our proposed hypotheses will report the findings. ConclusionsThis research may provide a more comprehensive and evidence-based approach to pediatric cancer management at home-based pediatric cancer management by improving children's and parents' self-efficacy and coping by providing feasible, accessible, and innovative support. Implications for Nursing PracticeThe study outcomes are expected to enrich the understanding and management of the psychosocial well-being of children and their parents and empower them to cope with the treatment process more effectively during home-based care.